Package and dispensing-container for ice-cream cones, &amp;c.



.A. McLAREN. PACKAGE AND DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR ICE CREAM CONES, @LC

APPLICATION man um. 23. I9l5.

Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

Z '0 all whom it may concern ALEXANDER MOLAREN, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 29, 191%.

Application filed January 23, 1915. Serial No. 4.037.

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER MCLAREN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Dayton, Montgomery county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packages and Dispensing- Containers for Ice-Cream Cones, '&c., of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved package and dispensing container for ice cream cones or similar articles.

The object of the invention is to provide means by which a series of such articles can be packaged in an inexpensive container and maintained in a sanitary wholesome condition until the last one thereof has been withdrawn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container for the urpose described which will not require tl ie cooperation of any special supporting or dispensing means.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, showing the container in dispensing position, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

3 illustrates a slight modification;

Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen that the improved package comprises a ser1es of nested cup-like articles 1 and an inclosing casing or holder 2. This holder is made of suitable paper and of such size that the articles 1 fit closely therein. The length of the container depends upon the number of articles to be included in a single package and as shown in Fig. 1 is normally closed at both ends. The upper end of the holder which may, as shown, be strengthened by being folded upon itself is provided with an eyelet 3 by means of which the package can be suspended in a vertical position and the lower end or bottom of the holder is detachable so that the articles may be withdrawn through the open lower end In the embodiment of the invent1on 1llustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 an elastrc ring surrounds the carton or case 2 in such position as to exert suflicient pressure upon the lowest of the series of articles thereln to support the entire series. As shown, th1s ring produces or is arranged 1n a slight annular groove in the outer surface of the holder and is so positioned as to bear against theil lowest article relatively near its upper en After the bottom ofthe holder 2 has been detached the lowest article 1 therein can be readlly withdrawn, a slight downward pull releaslng it from the pressure of the ring 4; and as soon as said article has passed below the ring the latter resumes its normal posit1on, engaging the next one of the series of articles, which series moves bodily downward a relatively short distance.

It will be seen that the side wall of the holder 2 below the elastic ring 4 is of such length as to completely surround the lowest article of the series. This is-of considerable importance as the device is particularly designed for dispensing ice cream cones and it is of the utmost importance that each of said articles be protected from dust or other contaminating influence as completely as pos sible. The skirt like portion of thedevice below the rin 4 so completely surrounds the lowest artlcle of the series that no portion thereof is visible but does not interfere with said article being easily withdrawn when desired.

The eyelet 3 can be fitted over any su1t- 4 able hook or pin and the invention therefore Flg. 4 is asection on the line 44 of avoids the necessity for employing some particular form of supporting device, such as.

has been heretofore commonly employed with packages or containers of the same general character. The container shown in Figs. 1 and 2 presents in a unitary structure a means by which a series of articles of the character referred to can be packed for shipment and from which they can be successively withdrawn for use while being maintained in a perfectly sanitary condition.

If desired the elastic band or ring 4 may be dispensed with and. means such as shown in Fig. 3 employed. Referring to this embodiment of the invention 5 designates a suitable standard or upright having adjustably mounted thereon a hook 6 with which the eyelet 3 at the upper end of the holder or container can be engaged and an elastic holder 7 adapted to engage the holder so as to exert the necessary pressure on the lowest article of the series therein.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides a very simple and inexpensive means by which ice cream cones, for example, may be packaged at the factory and by which said cones will be protected from contamination by handling in shlpping. ft is impossible to even touch the articles themselves after they have been as sembled in the container except as they are one by one withdrawn therefrom and all of the series are continuously surrounded by the side walls of the holder.

A single elastic band or ring 4, as well as the auxiliary pressure device 7, may be used with a number of casings 2. That is, when the last of a series of articles has been withdrawn from the casing or holder the band 4 can be removed and applied to another casing. Independent of the use of such a ring the inner wall of the annular groove provided in the exterior surface of the casing would exert considerable pressure upon the lowest article of the series but it is preferable to supplement this action by an auxiliary means as shown.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. The combination with a plurality of nested cup-like articles and a case or carton inclosing all of the articles and adapted to be opened at one end to afford access to the articles therein, of means supporting the carton in a vertical position with its delivery end lowermost, and means for exerting pressure on the carton adjacent the upper end of the lowest article therein suflicient to support the series of articles and permit them to be successively withdrawn from the case or carton when the lower end thereof is open.

2. The combination with a plurality of nested cup-like articles and a case or carton inclosing all of the articles and adapted to be opened at one end to afford access to the articles therein, of means supporting the carton in a vertical position with its delivery end lowermost, the side wall of the carton extending about all of the articles supported thereby and throughout. the\length of the lowest thereof, and means for-exertmg pressure on the carton adjacent the uper end of the lowest article therein sucient to naeaaee support the seriesof articles and permit them to be successively withdrawn from the carton when the lower end thereof is' open.

3. The combination with a plurality of nested, cup-like, articles, of a carton inclosing all of the articles and provided adjacent its upper end with means whereby it may be suspended in a vertical position, the lower end of said carton being removable, and an elastic ring surrounding the body of the carton and adapted to exert suflicient pressure on the lowest of the articles therein to support all of said articles while permitting them to be successively withdrawn.

4. The combination with a plurality of nested, cup-like, articles, of a paper case or carton surrounding all of said articles, the upper, end of said case being folded upon itself and having an aperture through such folded portion by which it canbe suspended in a vertical position, the opposite end of the carton being removable, and means for supporting the series of articles in" said case and permitting downward movement thereof so that the lowest one may be withdrawn through said open end of the carton.

5. The combination with a plurality of nested, cup-like, articles, of a case or carton of compressible material surrounding all of said articles and adapted to be opened at one end to afl'ord access to the articles therein, said carton being adapted to be engaged by a supporting means adjacent is permanently closed end, and means for causing said carton to exert suflicient pressure on the lowest article therein to support the series of articles while permitting them to be successively withdrawn from the carton when the lower end thereof is open.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of ,two witnesses.

Witnesses CHAS. D. Orro R. Knrrnn. 

